GP Commission: updates to helmets, swingarm spoon & more

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Paul Duparc (FIM), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Biense Bierma (MSMA), in the presence of Jorge Viegas (FIM), Carlos Ezpeleta (Dorna), Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting) and Corrado Cecchinelli (Director of Technology), in a meeting held in Valencia on 4^th. November 2022, made the following decisions:

Interrupted and Restarted Races

The Commission approved a change to the awarding of Championship points and changed the wording to make a third race less probable (especially in Moto2™ and Moto3™), however the regulations concerning the conditions for restarting an interrupted race remain unchanged. In summary:

– If none of the races have completed at least 3 laps, and it’s not possible to restart, the race is considered null and void and no points will be awarded.
– If the sum of the laps completed in all races (only counting races which have had more than 3 laps) are: 
– Less than 50% of original race distance = half points will be awarded 
– More than 50% of original race distance = full points will be awarded.

New Sporting Format from 2023

After further consultation with the Moto3™ and Moto2™ teams the Commission confirmed an amendment to the sporting format being introduced in 2023. For these classes only, all three free practice sessions on Friday and Saturday will continue to be timed for the purposes of progressing to QP1 and QP2.

Qualification for the Race

The Commission approved the removal of the right of Race Direction to, at their discretion, waive the requirement for a rider to have achieved, in any session, a lap time of less than 105% of the fastest rider in that session. However, Race Direction will retain the right of this waiver for the MotoE™ World Championship where there are less practice sessions.

MotoGP™ Class Fuel Capacity – Sprint Races

The maximum fuel tank capacity for sprint races was confirmed as 12 litres.

Teams may choose to use a purpose-built fuel tank with this capacity or an alternative method of reducing capacity in the normal tank. Other fuel tank regulations will be in line with those for full length races, e.g., ambient temperature of fuel, scrutineering method etc.

Swingarm Spoon Ground Clearance – MotoGP™ Class

Following an incident at the 2022 San Marino GP, where the swingarm spoon of one machine broke following contact with a kerb, it was decided that the minimum permitted ground clearance should be increased by 15mm, to 35mm.

Brake Disc Carriers – All Classes

After consultation with the suppliers the following regulation was confirmed:

Composite construction of the brake disc carrier, (including carbon fibre reinforced, glass fibre reinforced, and similar), are not permitted. The only permitted materials are magnesium and aluminium alloys. 

Fuel Tanks – All Classes

The material permitted for construction of fuel tanks was confirmed:

The main structure of the fuel tank must be made completely from either steel or aluminium. However, the use of other material including carbon fibre, aramid fibre, glass fibre is permitted as an add-on where necessary, to add additional stiffness and protection or for other purposes.

Rider Equipment

Following incidents where riders’ leathers have become unzipped whilst on track, a new system of positive fastening has been agreed with the manufacturers. Use of leathers with this closing system is henceforth mandatory.

The FIM is continuing its mission of improving riders’ equipment and developing helmets. In line with this policy:

Only FIM homologated helmets (with a valid FIM Homologation Label) will be allowed with the following deadlines:

– Until 31/12/2025: FRHPhe-01 & FRHPhe-02
– From 01/01/2026: FRHPhe-02 only

A list of FIM Homologated helmets is available on www.frhp.org.

The resolutions of the Grand Prix Commission have been approved by the Permanent Bureau.